What are your favorite 358Norma Mag loads?
- Thread starter tjsudbury
- Start date
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
My 'quest' for a 358NM is fairly lengthy, but through that search, I've acquired two.
A Husqvarna model 1651, and a Schultz & Larsen model 68DL. Admittedly, I haven't done much in the way of reloading for either of them,
. I 'lucked' into seven boxes of Norma factory ammo so I haven't had the need yet.
I have tried, to a very limited degree, 'tried' some handloads using 250gr Hornady and 225gr Barnes with IMR 4350.
Once I 'thin out' my supply of Norma factory, I'll start some serious handloading efforts for them.
A Husqvarna model 1651, and a Schultz & Larsen model 68DL. Admittedly, I haven't done much in the way of reloading for either of them,
. I 'lucked' into seven boxes of Norma factory ammo so I haven't had the need yet.
I have tried, to a very limited degree, 'tried' some handloads using 250gr Hornady and 225gr Barnes with IMR 4350.
Once I 'thin out' my supply of Norma factory, I'll start some serious handloading efforts for them.
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Here's the published load in the No 8 Speer Manual
I worked up to 67.5 gr more than forty years ago. That was the most accurate load, and have been using it ever since.
Ted
I bought my 358 Norma Mag Husky many, many years ago along with a 30/06 at the same time. Both have treated me well.
I'm away from home right now so I can't give you the specific loads. I've settled on the 225 gr TSX after deciding that the 250 grain Barnes didn't do anything the 225 grain wouldn't do. Couldn't ask for better performance on the elk and moose I've shot with it. I tried lots of different powders, but got best grouping/performance with RL19 and IMR4350. I stuck with IMR4350. Norma cases were available back then, and I bought 7 boxes. So I am set for life with factory Norma brass.
Don't forget one of the other strengths of the 358 Norma Mag - shooting pistol bullets for cheap. Cast or bulk purchased, between 14 - 20 grains of Green Dot or other similar powders and you will have a nice plinker load just below supersonic. My wife started shooting centerfire with those, shooting gophers with the .358 NM for a couple of summers. Then moved up to a mild 180 grain load at about 2700 fps for her first hunts. Now feels the love for her Browning BLR in 358 Winchester, loaded with the 180 grain Barnes - but she shoots lots of bulk pistol bullets out of that 358 as well.
I use necked up cases for the "play" pistol bullet rounds.
I've had a couple 358 Norma's and found there can be a considerable difference in Max loads from one rifle to another. I would suggest this is due to a big difference in the length of throat ( freebore) from one rifle to another. I presently have a Husqvarna 1600 that has a much shorter throat than the last 358 N I had. Max loads are about 3 grs less than my last rifle yet the muzzle velocity is close to the same between those two rifles. I have also found that the 225 gr TSX bullet is great in the big Swede with IMR 4350.
The throat on this particular 358 (also a 1651) is not very long, unlike my 9.3x62 1600, which has a very long throat. Still haven't gotten it to the range, the road is in rough shape.
Johnn, I see lots of loads for IMR 4350, but not for H4350. Where would you start with the H4350? I've got lots of that.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
In all honesty, I've never used H4350 or any Hodgdon powder for that matter. However
, just incase that ever changes, I do have a Hodgdon Powder #27 Data Manual in my reloading room. In it they have 358NM loads listed using H4350. If you want, I could scan the page in question and e-mail you that data. Just need you to PM me your e-mail address but the basics of the info using H4350 are;180gr SPR FP
- 75gr start load... 79gr max load
200gr HDY SP
- 74gr start load... 78gr max load
250gr NOS PART
- 71gr start load... 75gr max load
Again, if you want a copy of the actual page, let me know. Also, it goes without saying, all the usual cautions of starting and working up loads are applicable.
Jphnn
Here's the published load in the No 8 Speer Manual
worked up to 67.5 gr more than forty years ago. That was the most accurate load, and have been using it ever since.
Ted
It is interesting that between Manual #8 & #10 Speer cut the max load by 5.0 grains... lawyers or problems???
I am confident Ted's experience is well substantiated.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Couldn't agree more. Meeting him on a number of occasions
has been a definite pleasure, very informative and I look forward to the next. I've also had the good fortune to purchase a couple of firearms from him, one of which is in the calibre under discussion.
I haven't used the powder Ted listed as it isn't one I have on hand. tjsudbury's question was on loads using H4350, another I don't have on hand but I did give him the following info from the Hodgdon's manual I have for reference.
I finally got this out to the range, the road had been in bad shape for over a month. It seems to like 200 grain Hornady's over 60 grains of IMR 3031, and a 250 grain Hornady over 74.2 grains of RL19 looks like its a good starting point.
Shot with an old steel Weaver V-7
Shot with an old steel Weaver V-7
I'm having one built on a CZ 550 7mm Rem Mag barrelled action. Wont be ready for a quite a while. Unfortunately there is not a huge selection of bullet weights for this calibre. That being said Barnes, Hornady, Sierra, Speer, Woodleigh, Swift, North Fork all make bullets for this calibre. Just a case of what you want. My suggestion would be to get yourself a Woodleigh reloading manual, and some Woodleigh 358 cal bullets. I already have the manual. It lists a good selection of loads for the 358. Another good manual is the Lee Precision Modern Reloading 2nd Edition. I purchased a set of Redding dies from Prophet River.
Good for you, and great shooting!
That is typical accuracy of every Nine Norma I have owned since 1969. If you can find some Speer 250 gr spitzers be sure to give them a try as well. The have always been accurate in the rifles I loaded for, and are very effective on really big game.
Ted
Thanks Ted
I did find one box of the Speers at my local store this past weekend, but haven't loaded them.
I'm working up to your load of 67.5 grains of IMR 4895. Loaded up three rounds at 65 grains, they grouped about two inches, but no pressure signs, so will try some hotter loads on the next range trip.
One thing I noticed is that all three of the loads I tried with RL19, while accurate, grouped about 14 inches lower than loads using both IMR3031 and IMR4895
TJSudbury Glad to see you are getting a few good groups with your 358 N. Your load with the 200 gr Hornady and 3031 is certainly accurate but a word of caution. Many of the 358 cal bullets on the market are better suited to 358 Winchesters and 35 Whelans. At 358 Norma velocities they are like varmit bullets. Even the factory 250 gr Norma ammo does NOT hold together at close range. I have found that if I'm hunting with my 358 N only a premium bullet will hold together. The only bullets I have found to be tough enough for full throttle loads are Barnes TSX, Nosler Partitions and Swift A frames. I have had excellent performance from the 225 gr Barnes TSX in my 358 N. Save the cheap bullets for practice
I haven't owned one for many years but I do remember I used 250 Partitions and IMR 4350 for well over 2800 fps and cloverleaf groups......It was a custom barreled pre 64 Mod 70 with a 25 1/2" barrel. I highly recommend the 250 NP in this cartridge, it is usually very accurate and terminal performance is, as always, impeccable........I worked my loads up from exactly the same manual as Ted is posting excerpts from...........never had a problem with any loads posted in this book.
BTT. Would anybody happen to know the case capacity of the .358 Norma in grs. of water? Full to the neck. I'm looking for .350 Rigby load data, and I'd like to see how the Norma compares to give me a starting point. I found an online reference giving 88 grs. for the Norma, but info is scarce.
